Boku wa Tomodachi Sukunai

[Ryllharu]

I sit firmly in the Sena camp. I like her naiveté, her tearful dashes out the door and down the hallway, and shy pleas for help getting caught up to the rest of the world. In spite of her physical appearance and casual attire, she's quite reserved.

She, Yozora, and Kodaka really came off pathetic this episode. Kodaka was okay, because he clearly had a cell to use to contact his family members, even if he didn't use it enough that he had to go looking for it. Sena at least didn't have one at all, she had a landline that she knew how to use, but obviously didn't utilize it that often. Yozora was the most pathetic. Yozora had a cellphone in the hope that she would one day be able to put friends into it, she didn't even have any family in it.

Sena is just somehow completely isolated from the normal world, despite always being followed by boys and being popular and fashionable. It's somewhat endearing that she's so shy in the face of Kodaka, who she deems to be a little more connected and up to date. She should obviously be talking to Rika and Yukimura. Despite their blatant quirks, they came off pretty normal this episode.

I am liking that Yozora's pranks are starting to backfire on her. She's trying to drive Sena off and get some enjoyment out of it, but since he taught her how to swim, Sena has started to flee to Kodaka. Sena is depending on him, like a friend would. Now Yozora ends up being the one left out, no matter how much she tries to ditch Sena from club activities. It's all part of Yozora's tomboy nature, but she's has to learn sometime.

[Kraco]

I was feeling like the jokes were getting a bit tired already in this ep. That's why I'm happy the next ep apparently will again take place elsewhere than the club room. That should bring some freshness onto the table again. And not that I'd mind the fanservice.

But yeah, I'm still liking Sena the most. She hasn't shown any such pure wickedness that oozes out of Yozora. She's just a little foolish and tries to mask her ignorance with fake pride. But when the reality hits, she's running quickly to Kodaka, like you said.

[Marik]

[Mazui] Boku Ha Tomodachi Ga Sukunai - 08 - 720p: Torrent | DDL1 | DDL2

[Ryllharu]

Kobato using the latest episode of her favorite show to rationalize changing to cooler attire was adorable. As was her sudden shock that she hasn't been growing. It's not like she's malnourished, Kodaka has good cooking skills. Well, according to the other girls as well as anyone that sees her in public, Kobato got all the good genes and is allegedly quite the young beauty (might be all the lack of sun). Guess she can't win it all though, she's indeed cursed to be a loli.

Sena and she really do look like sisters, and I can see why Sena might get attached to her quickly, even if Kobato doesn't reciprocate. Here's hoping that is indicative of a Sena victory.

But this is three episodes in a row where things are getting a little depressing. It's not a bad thing, I certainly enjoy the shift from constant slapstick in these kinds of series. Kodaka's assessment was right though. The rest of them have started to become friends, while Yozora kind of pouts when she's not dominant, and can't really handle group/public activities.

I'm not sure why Rika left. Maybe the crowd size alone?

Next episode looks like Kodaka visits Sena's home.

[Marik]

Title: Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai ED Single - Watashi no Ki-mo-chi
Artist: Inoue Marina & Itou Kanae

Tracklist:
1. Watashi no Ki-mo-chi
2. Atashi no Ki-mo-chi
3. Watashi no Ki-mo-chi (Instrumental)
4. Atashi no Ki-mo-chi (Instrumental)

[Shin-S] Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai ED Single - Watashi no Ki-mo-chi [Inoue Marina & Itou Kanae]: Torrent | MediaFire

Finally! I've been looking forward to this since I first heard it.

[Kraco]

Good for Kobato's health the show suddenly gave her a reason to switch to a lighter clothing. Kodaka showing utter disinterest in Kobato changing right before his eyes was a welcome, though expected, detail. There have been too many shows where it would have proceeded very differently. They have a nicely normal relationship, or as normal as one can have with this show's characters.

I'm not complaining when things go better with Sena than Yozora. Despite her creepy attachment to Kobato in this ep, she's still far more agreeable than Yozora.

[Marik]

[Mazui] Boku Ha Tomodachi Ga Sukunai - 09 - 720p: Torrent | DDL1 | DDL2

[Ryllharu]

That was a fun episode. A large part of it was definitely Yuzuki Ryouka playing the steward with the nasty dry wit. She was a great comedy counterpoint to the insanity that is Sena and her father. As if it was a totally normal thing for Sena to run out of her own house like that.

Sena is truly a heavenly goddess as the ED depicts.

Kodaka is too nice for his own good. He should have admitted it, wherein Sena would immediately declare she was ineligible for marriage, and then he'd have to take responsibility.

The eyecatch at the end really shows how much Sena and Kobato look like sisters.

[Kraco]

The eyecatch at the end really shows how much Sena and Kobato look like sisters.

Maybe they are sisters. Sena is about as old as Kodaka, so perhaps their old man decided he can't take care of both a son and a daughter with his irresponsible lifestyle. So, he let his best friend adopt the girl. With Kodaka already around and older, Kobato wouldn't have been a problem any longer.

Regardless, Kodaka did receive some awesome fanservice. Despite everything (like sharing the bed with another dude) he must feel lucky they ended up staying overnight.

But yeah, a jolly good episode. I like little details like Kobato behaving (and looking) normally during the somewhat formal visit to the Kashiwazaki household. Other than that visit, I think the whole long horse demon scene was great.

[Marik]

[Mazui] Boku Ha Tomodachi Ga Sukunai - 10 - 720p: Torrent | DDL

[Ryllharu]

Rika owned this episode. She can make anything erotic. First was her initial Gundam/Eva parody, and now train linkages. Then her attempt at sneaking into his bed. Though admittedly, I still can't see how she of all people can believe that Yukimura is a boy. I know why she gladly would pretend otherwise in order to fulfill her twisted yaoi fantasies...

Yozora won a few points back in this episode. Her abuse of Sena wasn't overly mean this time (though she still used extremely derogatory words for her) but there was also a playfulness to it. She had a nice moment with Kodaka too, and her story will likely jog Kodaka's memory about his childhood friend (who is very obviously Yozora). She has usually come off vindictive, this time she came off far less harshly.

Sadly, Sena's only contribution this episode was being topless in front of Kodaka for a second day in a row.

All in all, Kodaka is shaping up to be a more than above average protagonist. He's diligent (cooking and actually enjoying doing it), caring (for both his sister and Maria), kind (twice lying to Sena about not seeing her bare breasts), and thoughtful (helping everyone else to the bathroom until sunrise without any real grumbling, and spending the time thinking about Yozora's story and how it relates to him). He's also got a backbone (defending Sena at the pool and the other times he uses his threatening appearance for good). He's a voice of common sense, although he could be a bit more assertive using it. Yet he doesn't really fade into the background despite being relatively "normal" compared to any of the girls.

[Kraco]

Yozora getting scared of her own story was pretty funny. It didn't even look like she'd have just acted it to spend time with Kodaka. Though inventing that story was surely intentional. The obligatory Yozora bullying Sena scene was also nicer than in many of the other eps, like Ryll said. At least Sena was enjoying it...

After Ryll wrote so lengthily about the brother, I have to mention I also like the little sister. She gets helped by Kodaka a lot but unlike in great many annoying shows doesn't repay it by being obnoxius. It's rather cute how much she relies on him and listens to him in the absence of their parents and apparently in the absence of friends of her own. It seems like such a warm family. Though Kodaka would probably do a service to her by trying to teach her to be a bit more self-reliant.

[Marik]

[Mazui] Boku Ha Tomodachi Ga Sukunai - 11 - 720p: Torrent | DDL1 | DDL2

[Kraco]

I suppose it had to happen already, considering the show ends next week. In fact it wasn't even a bad way of achieving the needed jolt for Kodaka's demented memory. Yozora's personality change the moment Kodaka uttered the nickname looked rather dubious, but perhaps it was only an illusion created by the episode ending right afterwards. It would be strange if her disagreeable personality suddenly mellowed too much. It didn't really seem all acting.

Quite a gray episode otherwise, with only a few good scenes.

[vejita613]

If indeed they share the same universe as Ore no Imōto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai, then I fear for Kobato. Sena by herself is bad enough...

[Ryllharu]

If indeed they share the same universe as Ore no Imōto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai, then I fear for Kobato. Sena by herself is bad enough...

Indeed. I smiled at the short cameo too.

It almost seemed like the festival was a date between Kodaka and Rika. She acting fairly normal during the whole event. Guess the compliment on her appearance really gave her a boost of confidence to get over her agoraphobia, at least temporarily.

While the audience knowing Kodaka's childhood friend was Yozora doesn't help, the nickname is incredibly obvious. Honestly, how could he have forgotten something as easy as that? I don't know if I like the personality shift. It seems too easy for her to go all soft just because of that. Yozora had some pretty serious personality flaws and issues that none of the other girls have.

[Marik]

[Mazui] Boku Ha Tomodachi Ga Sukunai - 12 - 720p: Torrent | DDL1 | DDL2

[Ryllharu]

I did not think so at the end of last episode, but short hair really does suit Yozora. She looks nice that way.

That said, Rika stole the momentum of the whole episode with her extreme yaoi lunacy. Yozora was owning the episode with her drama, and then Rika's short scene overwhelmed any presence that Yozora might have had. Rika is just so unaware yet vulgar. She was cavorting around in the chair, showing her underwear to the whole room.

I still like Sena a lot more for all her own hilarious issues, but Yozora gained a lot this episode. The skirt flashback was kinda cute. Yozora hitting Sena with the flyswatter in the face seems very mean. It's somehow nastier than it should be, because although she doesn't hit her that hard, flyswatters typically are pretty gross. Still makes me smile.

Though I still loved the most that 5 second scene of Maria and Kobato attacking each other with Kodaka referencing the point of the club is to make friends. It felt like a nice place to imagine that somehow, the two of them will become close friends later.

----------

I really enjoyed this series. I hope it gets a second season. In the meantime, I might have to seek out the novel translations.

[Xelbair]

Translations are at Baka-Tsuki, but it is not fully translated yet.

[Ryllharu]

Translations are at Baka-Tsuki, but it is not fully translated yet.

Somehow, you misspelled Vexed Scans. Baka-Tsuki is using their translation.